Leaders Circle Puts Global Spotlight on Toronto Innovation and Research

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - November 26, 2015) - Top thinkers, innovators, and researchers throughout Canada looking to amplify their work and institutions globally are partnering with the Leaders Circle for support through the international meetings market. Supported by Tourism Toronto and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), the Leaders Circle serves as Toronto's official Ambassador Program. The Leaders Circle includes a diverse body of leading Canadian professionals to form a network of people who share a passion for promoting Toronto as a place of innovation, excellence, and opportunity. An inaugural presentation of the Leaders Circle, scheduled this evening at MTCC, will include Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation, Reza Moridi, announcing an exciting opportunity for Toronto and Canada.

"Ontario is recognized globally as a hub for innovation and scientific advancements, and much of this study and discovery takes life in Toronto. The Leaders Circle is an invaluable resource for the city in that it successfully elevates the profile of Canadian research and institutions, as well as creates opportunities for future collaboration," says Minister Moridi.

Through the Leaders Circle, Toronto will continue to host international meetings, and in doing so, build on its position as a premier metropolis for events. In 2014, Toronto was ranked second in North America for number of international meetings held that year, and the city had the highest number of international meeting attendees as well. These numbers tell a fantastic story about the city's position as a top meetings and events destination.

Hosting international meetings provides a boost to Toronto's tourism sector, and also leaves a legacy of social and economic benefits for the city. These meetings cast a spotlight on Toronto, and the ground-breaking research and institutions developed throughout the city. But before Toronto can host such meetings, a strategic bidding process led by a local expert is necessary. In fact, 70% of all international meetings require a local industry expert to submit a bid to be host City. Identifying and partnering with a Leaders Circle Ambassador is key in this process.

"Toronto is an attractive and successful destination for international meetings partly because of the outstanding infrastructure and facilities to host major meetings, and, equally importantly, because of the leaders in research, business and other fields who step forward as Toronto ambassadors," says Johanne Bélanger, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. "Toronto has a compelling history of hosting a wide range of international events, and with the support of the Leaders Circle our destination can continue to build on this success and growing global reputation."

"When local experts successfully support a conference bid in partnership with the Leaders Circle, world leaders in various fields are drawn to Toronto, where they get to witness firsthand the expertise and innovation of this city," says MTCC President and CEO Barry Smith. "When Toronto is selected to host an international event, we receive an amazing opportunity to provide the setting for advances in research, and tell a story about some of Toronto's brightest minds."

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada's number one convention and trade show facility. Over the past 31 years, the Centre has hosted over 18,000 events, entertained more than 55 million guests and has added $5.1 billion in direct spending to the community. For further information, please visit www.mtccc.com.

About Tourism Toronto

Tourism Toronto, Toronto's Convention and Visitors Association, is an industry association of more than 1,100 members established to sell and market the greater Toronto region as a remarkable destination for tourists, convention delegates and business travellers around the globe. Tourism Toronto operates in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Greater Toronto Hotel Association. For more information please visit www.seetorontonow.com.